Merida upgrade

astramax151

Hi everyone,

I've got a Merida Ride 77, which I've run perfectly happily for 3 years now. I do regular 40-60 mile solo rides averaging 16-17 mph + quicker club runs of around 20-25 mile in the 18-19mph bracket. The question is, to achieve more speed/distance, do I get another bike or can anyone recommend suitable upgrades to my trusty steed? I should add I'm 40 years old + around 64 kilos, so I'm no powerhouse!

Grill

More speed/distance comes from your legs, not your bike.

astramax151

I appreciate that, but there must also be some improvement that can be done to the bike? surely wheels etc would make a difference?

Grill

Sure, a lighter bike will give you a bit of a speed boost on hills and deep section wheels will make it easier to sustain 20+mph speeds, but that's about it. Distance will only be increased if you're having severe comfort issues.

The fact of the matter is that the best reason to buy a new bike is because you want one. Justifying minute incremental gains for a recreational cyclist is simply an inane rationalisation.

astramax151

I think you're missing my point - I'm not trying to justify purchasing a new bike or seeking "minute incremental gains" I just wondered if it worth upgrading anything on the bike. Maybe my phrasing was wrong, the speed is the main target rather than distance really (distance has been improving all summer) I'm just not sure if I've reached my own limitations or if I can achieve more with some minor upgrades (please ignore the "new bike" part of the question)

kajjal

Your doing well on the fitness but the main gains unless you are already there will come from training , technique, rest and diet.

navrig

Kajjal wrote:

Your doing well on the fitness but the main gains unless you are already there will come from training , technique, rest and diet.

+1 and make sure your drive train is clean and working well. A worn/dirty chain/cassette/derailleur will have an impact but not as much as the engine.

A shiny new bike will have a psycological effect until you look at your times/average speed and realise that your money has had little impact. Then you wonder why you bought new wheels or a new bike.....

Barteos

astramax151 wrote:

I think you're missing my point - I'm not trying to justify purchasing a new bike or seeking "minute incremental gains" I just wondered if it worth upgrading anything on the bike. Maybe my phrasing was wrong, the speed is the main target rather than distance really (distance has been improving all summer) I'm just not sure if I've reached my own limitations or if I can achieve more with some minor upgrades (please ignore the "new bike" part of the question)

Unless you ride a mountain bike, age of 40 shouldn't be used as an excuse for doing only 16-17mph...
Average speeds obviously never tell the full picture but unless it's very hilly where you live, you are unlikely to have reached your limitations and there is still plenty of room for improvement.
Cycling consistently 8-10 h/w (as a minimum) for over 5-7 ish years may get you close to the limits of your genetic potential.

Pross

astramax151 wrote:

I think you're missing my point - I'm not trying to justify purchasing a new bike or seeking "minute incremental gains" I just wondered if it worth upgrading anything on the bike. Maybe my phrasing was wrong, the speed is the main target rather than distance really (distance has been improving all summer) I'm just not sure if I've reached my own limitations or if I can achieve more with some minor upgrades (please ignore the "new bike" part of the question)

You certainly haven't reached your own limitations at the speeds you quote especially if you are riding around the Norfolk area (yes, I know there's an occassional hill and it's windy). As a fellow 40 year old who is considerably heavier and living in a hilly area I don't think I'm anywhere near the physical limitations that can't be overcome by riding harder / more regularly despite averaging probably slightly higher speeds than you quote. 40 is nothing - I have a club mate who is pushing 60 and has only had one working lung for the 20 years I've known him and he can still rip the legs off people.

You may not have liked the first response but to be honest it is the correct one. Yes, you may be able to go faster on a different bike for reasons such as better / more aero geometry and wheels may help a bit but ultimately if the bike is the reason you are going faster then I don't see how that is helping you achieve your potential :?

explosifpete

I like that "Grill" who is telling it not about the bike has a list of all his really good bikes

Grill

explosifpete wrote:

I like that "Grill" who is telling it not about the bike has a list of all his really good bikes

I didn't buy any of my bikes with the idea that I'd go faster, I bought them because I wanted them. :P

imposter2.0

astramax151 wrote:

I appreciate that, but there must also be some improvement that can be done to the bike? surely wheels etc would make a difference?

In general terms, speed can't be bought.

smidsy

Imposter wrote:

In general terms, speed can't be bought.

Should I be worried - I agree. :shock:

MartinB2444

Ignore the hair shirters, what colour wheels do you want?